There are 3000 different kinds of mosquitoes and a worldwide population of 100 trillion!! Most are in tropical climates, but there are mosquitoes in arctic and desert regions.

GeneralThey can fly up to 10 mph, dart between raindrops and even fly backwards. Most live and die close to where they hatch, but some are strong flyers that travel many miles in search of a victim.Only female mosquitoes bite. They require a blood meal in order to develop eggs to make more mosquitoes. Most female mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Stagnant ponds, ditches and fresh or salt water wetlands are favorites, but even a few tablespoons of water in a flower pot or old auto tire will do.Depending on species, female mosquitoes may lay 100 to 300 eggs at a time and may average 1,000 to 3,000 during their lifespan.The eggs hatch, become swimming larvae, then pupae and finally flying adults.Depending on temperature, mosquitoes can develop from egg to adult in as little as 4-7 days.Mosquito larvae are an important source of food for certain fish, birds, bats and other animals. Goldfish and fresh water minnows (Gambusia affinis) will both eat mosquito larvae.

Why mosquitoes bite us and why we shouldn't let them.In their quest for blood, mosquitoes may bite birds, frogs, snakes, and mammals, including people. Some, called peridomestic mosquitoes actually live and breed around homes just to be near us. 24 hours or so after hatching, a female mosquito flies off in search of a meal. She homes in on body warmth, odor, moisture and the carbon dioxide we exhale. When she bites, the mosquito injects a bit of saliva that slows coagulation so blood flows freely. It's your body's allergic reaction to the saliva that caused the welt and itching sensation. Mosquitoes can also transmit canine heartworm, which is fatal to dogs once contracted. For protection, pet owners can purchase a preventative medicine from their veterinarian.The average life span of the female mosquito is 3 to 100 days; the male's is 10 to 20 days.

What's being done about Mosquitoes and what you can do. Whenever possible, government health authorities control large tracts of mosquito breeding land by larviciding. They use low toxicity biopesticides like B.t.i. (Bacillius thuringiensis subspecies israelensis), a live bacteria that's deadly to mosquito larvae, harmless to other living things.The mosquito that bit you last night may have hatched in the birdbath right in your own back yard. At home or with school or community groups, you can effectively reduce mosquito problems using common sense and environmentally-conscious methods.Use low toxicity insecticides and avoid highly poisonous sprays indoors and out. Natural pyrethrin sprays, made from chrysanthemums, are helpful in clearing rooms.

Not posting much here anymore, but the photo's you can follow here There is plenty there.

Feel free to use any of these additional letters to correct the spelling of words found in the above post: a-e-t-n-d-i-o-s-m-l-u-y-h-c

An instar is not the phase between egg, larva pupae and adult.
The instar is found inside a phase for example when there is a change in the larvae after each ecdysis. (when the larvae looks different from before and also sometimes change habitat and feeding habits)
It is also more likely to be found with an incomplete or simple life cycles for example the praying mantid where the larval stage undergoes 12 to 14 instars before it becomes an adult. Another good example will be the Three host ticks species where the first instar has six legs followed by a eight legged instar. There are no instars in Mosquitoes, interesting though is that the pupae is also aquatic and is also able to swim.

Mosquito spread several diseases, not just malaria as some think. And although malaria speading ones are not active during the day - others are. So take suitable precautions at all times, especially during the summer and autumn months.

West nile fever is a spreading problem worldwide (not sure of its status in the Kruger) - although often mild can produce a fatal encephalitis. Fortunately yellow fever is not found in South Africa, though there appear to be some reports of dengue fever.

DEET sprays are best. Will also help prevent tick bites if you go for a game walk in summer when you will be walking through long grass.

On a serious not mosquitoes are feared by many people due to the threat of deadly diseases that they may carry. The World Health Organisation is currently concerned about the latest serious Ebola outbreak in West-Africa but I guess Mosquitoes do not carry this virus. Not sure though. I also think SA has a low risk of this disease .

“Whether it's the best of times or the worst of times, it's the only time we've got.”

On a serious not mosquitoes are feared by many people due to the threat of deadly diseases that they may carry. The World Health Organisation is currently concerned about the latest serious Ebola outbreak in West-Africa but I guess Mosquitoes do not carry this virus. Not sure though. I also think SA has a low risk of this disease .

From my knowledge, there is definitely scope for Ebola in South Africa. However, it is thought that the risk of this is extremely low. However, there have been instances of infected people arriving in South Africa (Eg. 1996 Gabon man in Jburg). It appeared as though no one on the plane or in the hospital contracted Ebola though.

There is very little known about the sources and reservoirs of the Ebola virus, but it does not appear that mosquitoes are involved.

Crested Val wrote:I have made an interesting observation (well it's interesting to me!!)

The Mosquitos on the Natal coasts (North and South) love me, and the bites swell up and become very itchy and angry.

The Mosquitos in and around Kruger will sometimes bite me, but don't cause the horrible itching and swelling that their Natal cousins do.

The Mosquitos in the UK, don't bite me at all!!!

CV,

Interesting. I find that too.

The SA mozzies seem to love me. I get bitten loads and end up with big, itching swellings. I am very allergic to them. And I haven't noticed a distinction between where in the country I am. It's all the same.

But the UK mozzies are totally disinterested in me. I very seldom get bitten here. And I have sometimes woken up in the morning and noticed one in my bedroom, so I know they are about.

I watched a program ont DStv the other day, they mentioned that people with O type blood are more likely to be bitten. Well I do believe this seeing that my Sister in law has O type blood and during summer months she realy suffers a lot.

Also after I contracted malaria in 2000 mozzies are by far my least favourite creature....